Age, artistic beauty, and condition are the most important factors in gauging the value of the world's most sought-after firearm. A classic specimen is stocked in native American tiger stripe maple. (Dealers note* Tiger maple is almost never found in European furniture and thus is evidence of valuable American origin.) A rare colonial "transition era (1715-1775)" flintlock specimen in a plain grain of maple, walnut, cherry, or birch, can command a huge sum. Keep in mind, most plain-wood Kentucky rifles found today were made during the third generation "percussion era.(1825-1860)" These are generally, thousand dollar rifles, not five figure antiques.

A hinge door "patchbox" cut into the stock is the distinguishing feature of a Kentucky rifle. Most were made of brass and their decorative elements can often identify a gun's maker or geographic origin. Valuable "Golden age(1775-1825)" Kentucky rifles often have elaborate patchboxes and carved stocks.

Like paintings, a rare signed work(the maker's name or initials on the barrel or elsewhere) of a great gunsmith artist is an important document of history. Most Kentucky rifle makers, being humble Quakers, signed their work with their workmanship, not their name.

Seldom, do I suggest that a line of antique is a staple to an honorable antique collection. A good Kentucky rifle is one place where I make my stand. It is part of America herself.

Reprinted with permission
by AntiqueTalk.com

Copyright by Wayne Mattox ©